Labor Laws

06.13.13

Protecting Child Models

A new law seeks to improve conditions for New York’s underage fashion set.

Since following the disturbing journey of a Serbian child model to Tokyo last year for the documentary film Girl Model, Child Model Advocates are looking to pass new legislation to further protect models under the age of 18. Models in New York are afforded limited protection under the Department of Labor, and this protection is even further reduced when the models are younger. According to Sara Ziff, a former model, most start their careers when they are just 13–16 years of age. The new law would require “chaperones on set, tutors on set, consent forms for nudity, no 16-plus-hour days, and access to food.” They hope to put it in place before September’s Fashion Week.